All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur are set for a crucial summer transfer window ahead of Thomas Frank’s first full season in charge of the club.

Spurs will absolutely have to reinforce their young and inexperienced squad as they gear up for Champions League football and the hectic fixture calendar that comes with it, following a 2024/2025 campaign blighted by a plethora of injuries to key players.

Thomas Frank "pushing" Tottenham to make "statement" £51m signing

Spurs are “ready” to back him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

Ange Postecoglou chose to throw all of his eggs into the Europa League basket, a decision which ultimately paid off, with the Australian ending Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy on a memorable night in Bilbao last month.

However, their dismal Premier League form, which saw Tottenham record 22 top-flight defeats and a 17th-place finish, resulted in Postecoglou losing his job and Frank coming into take over from the now-unemployed 59-year-old.

Son Heung-min

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James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

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Dominic Solanke

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Dejan Kulusevski

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via WhoScored

The Lilywhites are already working to back Frank with key additions to his new squad, with Spurs holding initial talks over signing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, a player who the Dane knows very well from their time together at the Gtech Community Stadium.

There are even reports that Tottenham have made a £70 million offer for Mbeumo as they bid to hijack Man United’s deal for the Cameroonian (The Mirror), but this is yet to gain traction among other reliable media sources.

What’s confirmed is Spurs’ talks over signing Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich, with their sporting director, Max Eberl, telling Abendzeitung München that discussions are indeed ongoing.

Frank wants to keep the Frenchman at N17, and the tactician will have a clear idea of the other players he’d rather hold onto in his new role as Tottenham boss.

Cristian Romero has attracted serious interest from Atletico Madrid, and the Argentine would be a significant loss for Frank, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of club captain Son Heung-min.

Tottenham to consider "lucrative" offer for Son Heung-min

The South Korean’s deal expires next year after Levy elected to trigger the one-year extension clause in his terms earlier this year, but despite the little time remaining on his contract, it is reported in Asia that Spurs’ chairman will demand as much as £50 million to sell Son this summer.

Son is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, who’ve reportedly held talks with the 32-year-old’s representatives, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that Levy will consider a “lucrative offer” to sell the forward.

“There’s potential something could happen early in the window,” he said.

“There is growing interest from the Saudi Pro League, and the South Korea international is now going into the final year of his contract at Tottenham. If Tottenham are ready to cash in on Son, this is their last opportunity to get a decent fee for him.

“Thomas Frank will want to have some say over what’s going to happen. He’s a legend at Tottenham, he’s been there for a decade now and he captained them to Europa League success.

“I think, ideally, Frank would like to keep Son because he doesn’t want to lose his club captain just after taking over the new job. He still has something to offer Tottenham, but if a lucrative offer does arrive it’s something they will consider due to his age and contract situation.”

The former Bayer Leverkusen star was a bargain signing from the Bundesliga this time 10 years ago, and gifting the club £50 million would be an ideal way to end his long tenure at Spurs, if Saudi sides decide they can stump up that level of fee.

Son would also sign-off on his Tottenham career after winning a major trophy, which would be a fairytale end for him.

He will also stand down as an assistant coach of UP Warriorz in the WPL

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2024Ashley Noffke will leave Queensland’s WNCL set-up and Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, while also stepping down as an assistant with UP Warriorz in the WPL, to take up a new coaching role with the Otago men’s team in New Zealand.It continues a winter of significant coaching changes within Queensland cricket after Wade Seccombe departed the men’s position with the state and Heat despite claiming the BBL title. Noffke was strongly linked with those roles before Johan Botha was handed the jobs.Mark Sorell, the former coach of the Australia women’s team from 2005-2007, has been named as Noffke’s replacement for both Queensland and Heat on a one-season contract.”This is a fantastic opportunity for me in my coaching journey,” Noffke said of his move. “The Volts and Otago Cricket are on the cusp of something special, and I’m keen to be part of that”.Noffke took on the Heat and Queensland coaching roles in 2019-20, winning a WBBL title in his first season and guiding Queensland to its inaugural WNCL title in 2020-21.”It’s bittersweet to be leaving the Fire and the Heat,” he added in a Queensland Cricket statement. “I’m excited about what lies ahead, especially working in a new program, but there are a lot of good memories from my time in Queensland.”I’m thankful for the guidance and support from the senior players, especially Jess Jonassen and Georgia Redmayne, and Mark as the assistant coach who is also a good mate. I wish the players, coaches and staff every success this year and look forward to watching the Heat and Fire teams flourish in the summers ahead.”Noffke, who starts with Otago later this month, will continue as coach of London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred this season before resuming the pre-season back in New Zealand.Queensland and Heat captain Jess Jonassen conceded there had been some upheaval during the off season but was confident the teams were well placed to handle it.”We’ve undergone some change throughout the off season and to have ‘Motsa’ [Sorrell] commit to the head coach position is a great way to provide our group with some stability moving forward,” she said. “He is extremely experienced and brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm to the role. I’m excited to see him dive in and continue to challenge the group.”

This summer has been a testing one for Arsenal fans so far.

Unlike Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, the North Londoners are yet to confirm a single signing, with the one positive piece of news coming out recently being that of Gabriel Magalhaes’ contract renewal.

Moreover, following reports from Fabrizio Romano, it looks like there is a real chance that Thomas Partey could be the latest player to leave for free this summer, following fellow midfielder Jorginho.

Fortunately, the club seem incredibly close to securing the services of Martin Zubimendi, and if reports are to be believed, they are looking to sign another international star who’d be an even more exciting acquisition.

Arsenal's next transfer after Zubimendi

After months of speculation following Sami Mokbel’s initial exclusive around Zubimendi’s move to Arsenal back in January and the countless times it looked like he might be heading elsewhere since then, Romano helped to reassure fans on Friday evening by confirming that the Spaniard’s £55m move to the club was signed.

The Real Sociedad ace, who has long been a target for top sides from Liverpool to Real Madrid, will add some real quality to the middle of the park for the Gunners’ and if his performances for Spain are anything to go by, he is more than just a defensive midfielder.

However, given how long we’ve known about this potential deal and the fact he is, first and foremost, a six, it’s easy to understand why the excitement might not necessarily be there for some fans. After all, the North Londoners’ biggest problem this season was scoring goals.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

So, there’s a hope and an expectation that the next player the club focuses on will be an out-and-out attacker, potentially someone like Rodrygo.

The good news is that that may be what happens, according to a recent report from The Mirror.

The story has revealed that while a deal may take some time to happen this summer, the Gunners’ interest in the Real Madrid star is ‘genuine.’

Moreover, while he won’t come cheap, the report claims that a fee in the region of £70m may be enough to tempt Los Blancos into selling.

While that is still a lot of money, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Arsenal, and as he’d be a far more exciting signing than Zubimendi, this is a deal they should be pushing for.

Why Rodrygo would be a more exciting signing than Zubimendi

Well, simply put, while Zubimendi might be able to have just as much of an impact on the team’s performances from the base of midfield, Rodrygo would be a more exciting signing because attackers are what get people on their feet.

It might sound terribly reductionist, and we are sure there are a few purists who prefer to watch a defensive midfielder, but when it comes down to it, the vast majority of fans want to see goals, and with the Real Madrid gem, that’s what they’d get.

Since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 104 appearances, totalling 7,202 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 138.5 minutes over a two-year period.

Appearances

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What makes those numbers all the more impressive is that for most of the last two campaigns, the Brazilian international has been forced to play out on the right or up top, and while he can evidently still do that to great effect, he is primarily a left-winger, so just imagine how good he could be in his natural position.

However, perhaps just after goals, the next most exciting thing to see on a football pitch is a winger who runs at, takes on and beats his opposing defender, which is a skill the former Santos gem has in spades.

According to FBref, he sat in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers for carries into the final third in La Liga this season, the top 12% for carries into the penalty area and the top 15% for successful take-ons, all per 90.

Those stats help to show that not only is the 24-year-old an incredibly positive runner with the ball and someone who can spearhead attacks, but he also possesses the ability to get past full-backs and centre-backs.

For comparison’s sake, Gabriel Martinelli sits in the bottom 42% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for successful take-ons per 90, so fans would notice a big improvement on the left in that regard.

Ultimately, Zubimendi looks like a great signing for Arsenal and someone who can help them control games next season, but due to his output, tenacity and ability on the ball, Rodrygo would be a far more exciting addition to the team.

A bigger star than Zubimendi: Arsenal make approach to sign £50m midfielder

The midfield monster would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 23, 2025

England duo star on county return after Luke Wood mops up resistance with three wickets

ECB Reporters Network17-Jul-2024Lancashire 136 for 2 (Salt 70, Livingstone 54*) beat Nottinghamshire 131 for 7 (James 51, Wood 3-23) by eight wicketsLancashire became the second North Group side to qualify for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals, brushing struggling Nottinghamshire aside by eight wickets chasing 132 at Emirates Old Trafford as England duo Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone starred on their return to county action.Second-placed Lightning joined leaders Birmingham in progressing courtesy of their seventh win in 13 games, set up by a polished bowling display led by left-arm quick Luke Wood’s season’s best three for 23 in limiting his former county to 131 for seven.All-rounder Lyndon James top-scored with a career best 51 off 38 balls before Salt underpinned a successful chase with a more destructive 70 off 42, including five sixes, in his first innings after T20 World Cup duty.Livingstone, another returning international, also contributed a wicket, three catches and 54 not out off 37 with three sixes. He shared a second-wicket 112 with Salt as victory was sealed with 5.3 overs remaining.Lancashire became the first county to achieve 150 wins in Blast history.From the moment Outlaws captain Joe Clarke got a thick edge behind off Saqib Mahmood’s pace, leaving the visitors two for one after eight balls, Lightning controlled things.The Outlaws, inserted, slipped to 28 for four inside six overs, Wood claiming his first – Jack Haynes caught at deep square-leg – added to other scalps for spinners Chris Green and Tom Hartley.The latter, England’s left-arm spinner, had Matt Montgomery caught at deep square-leg for his first wicket in any format since May 12, owing much to him being a squad member only at the recent T20 World Cup.In terms of games won, Nottinghamshire (144) are the second-most successful side in Blast history. But they will want to forget this campaign having only won twice so far.James and Tom Moores shared a fifth-wicket 53 inside eight overs and hit a six apiece to stem the tide and at least get the Outlaws into an innings which saw home captain Keaton Jennings employ four spinners to share 12 overs.Irish overseas debutant George Dockrell wasn’t one, but Livingstone was.And he broke the partnership when Moores miscued a wider delivery to long-off for 26 – 81 for five in the 13th over.After Wood struck again to get Liam Patterson-White caught at deep cover, James reached his fifty off 37 balls – by which time Nottinghamshire were 122 for six early in the 19th over.But, having mixed power with invention, James fell next ball to a brilliant diving catch from Livingstone at deep mid-wicket to hand Wood his third wicket.The visitors did well to get the total they did, though it just didn’t feel like one to threaten Lancashire’s progression through to a 17th quarter-final in 22 seasons.Afghanistan quick Fazalhaq Farooqi had Luke Wells caught at point in the second over of the chase – 14 for one – to raise Outlaws’ hopes.Livingstone, in at three, was dropped in the deep on five and 20 en-route to a fifty later achieved with the winning hit – a pulled six off Farooqi.Salt pulled Olly Stone for an early six and hit Luke Fletcher for two more in succession over the off-side shortly afterwards.By the time Salt reached his fifty off 31 balls, Lancashire – now on course for a home tie in the quarters – were motoring at 84 for one in the 10th over.Salt hit two more sixes off Fletcher’s seam to bring up the century partnership with Livingstone before falling to Patterson-White’s spin.

Everton only went from strength to strength to strength when the Friedkin Group ended Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign toward the end of 2024, moving swiftly to replace Sean Dyche with David Moyes in the dugout.

Relegation candidates in the bleak of winter, Everton played to Moyes’ tune across the second half of the campaign, finished comfortably in 13th place in the Premier League.

The Scotsman has overseen a slow start to the transfer window, albeit with chief executive Angus Kinnear settling in and dealing with an overload of potential departures. Albeit, Charly Alcaraz’s loan spell has been made permanent for a £13m fee.

Much has been made of the need for forwards, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin going and the Toffees closing in on his replacement in Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, 22, who has a £34.5m release clause.

But Everton may yet need to package their midfield with one or two impactful additions.

The latest on Everton's midfield situation

Everton always knew this was going to be a significant summer, with so many comings and goings taking place. Midfield is indeed more settled than other areas of the field, but the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure have departed, and with Alcaraz now a permanent feature, Everton might want to invest in a deeper-lying replacement.

There is, however, hope on Merseyside that 35-year-old star Idrissa Gana Gueye might renew his Everton vows to spend a year at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Gueye is still an effective player, but he’s a veteran, and it might be good to seek a replacement, one who could contest for that starting spot next season. That man might prove to be Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, who has emerged as a top target for Everton.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That’s what Football Insider believe, having detailed Everton’s desire to rival Manchester United for the Nigeria international by making a formal offer for the player.

Suitors are lining up as he is entering the penultimate year of his contract at the King Power, Leicester having been relegated from the Premier League last season.

GIVEMESPORT have also chimed in, stating that the Foxes recognise that clubs might not fancy paying the full release clause and might instead settle on a more agreeable £5m figure.

Part of this is due to Ndidi’s high £75k-per-week salary.

What Wilfred Ndidi would bring to Everton

Leicester signed Ndidi from Belgian side Genk way back in January 2017, when he was only 20 years old. Arriving in a deal worth £15m, he always had a huge task in replacing N’Golo Kante, but he’s done himself justice over his years on English soil.

Still only 28 years old, Ndidi has featured 303 times for his current club, notching 40 goal involvements and playing a tackle-heavy defensive role that has since bloomed into something more dynamic and modern, the anchor raised.

In this way, he could prove to be a fantastic replacement for Gueye but also an upgrade on the older man, bringing to Everton a fitting combative style but also a slick passing game that can help the evolution of Moyes’ system.

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Remarkably, no Premier League player won more tackles than Gueye in 2024/25, the veteran belying his age to play a priceless part in the stabilisation of a side that stared down the barrel of a smoking gun.

Everton need someone to step into his boots and emulate such qualities. Ndidi could be that man. Indeed, as per FBref, the 6 foot 2 star ranked among the top 5% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for tackles, the top 7% for blocks, the top 3% for clearances and the top 4% for aerial battles won per 90.

He also averaged assists at a rate of 0.19 per 90, which underscores a ball-playing side to Ndidi’s game that could prove invaluable as Everton look to break free from the pragmaticism which has defined so much of their football in recent years, and instead become a force to be reckoned with in England’s top flight.

Gueye, by contrast, averaged 0.09 assists across all competitions in 2024/25. This was hardly to the detriment of Everton’s fluency and success; it wasn’t within the ball-winner’s jurisdiction. However, it illustrates the presence they would sign by reeling in Ndidi, for sure.

Last season, Ndidi served in a collapsing Leicester system, but he still plied his trade dutifully. As per Sofascore, across his 28 appearances in the league (all starts), the African midfielder racked up five assists, created five big chances and averaged 0.6 key passes per game.

Moreover, he won three tackles, 6.3 duels and made 4.5 ball recoveries on average each Premier League outing. Thus, his ability to slot right in and claim the torch from Gueye is highlighted.

Leicester were abject last year, but Ndidi has long been a pillar of strength in the Midlands. One FIFA expert even named him “the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League” back in 2020, while ESPN’s Colin Udoh described him as an “absolute monster”.

Of course, there’s hope that Gueye will be staying put over the coming year, but he will indeed turn 36 around the start of the campaign, and Everton will need to cover him – especially as the versatile midfielder Doucoure has left.

Moyes has succeeded in stabilising the club, and Kinnear will know, of course, that the wage bill has been slashed by the recent exodus, thus putting the high-salary Ndidi in an attainable bracket.

With Barry potentially shoring up the frontline for a hefty £34.5m fee, Everton could hit the jackpot in shrewdly signing Ndidi, for he could absorb some tricks of the trade from his older positional peer before emphatically replacing him down the line.

Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Everton advancing in talks to sign £34m striker

Everton are edging closer to signing a La Liga forward

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 1, 2025

Manchester United could now be set to complete their second signing of the summer transfer window before their pre-season tour of the United States of America, as a breakthrough in talks with a £60 million-plus star is expected, according to a recent report.

Andre Onana is set to miss Man Utd's pre-season tour

The Red Devils have just completed their first week of pre-season training under Ruben Amorim, with another week of hard work set to get underway before they play their first pre-season game, which is against Leeds United in Sweden next Saturday.

Talks held: Man Utd lead race for gem "among best in country" over Man City

Talks have reportedly been held over the move.

ByHenry Jackson Jul 12, 2025

After the match against their arch-rivals, United will jet off to the USA, as they will play a three-game tournament in the Premier League summer series. This is a chance for Amorim to see how his team is looking ahead of the new campaign, but goalkeeper Andre Onana will not be part of the experience, as the Cameroon international has picked up a hamstring injury that is likely to see him miss several weeks.

Onana’s injury means Altay Bayindir will likely become Amorim’s first choice goalkeeper in the USA, but The Telegraph have reported that United could now be forced to enter the market to find a new goalkeeper, and reports from Brazil have stated that United are ready to submit a bid to sign John Victor from Botafogo, as he could be available for just £6 million.

Man Utd could sign £60m+ star before pre-season tour

As the Red Devils weigh up their options to replace Onana, according to reliable reporter Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Man United are expected to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford over the coming days ahead of their USA tour.

The report states that there is an expectation that a breakthrough in talks will happen in the coming days, and therefore, a deal will be wrapped up this week in time for the pre-season tour.

The Red Devils have been chasing the Brentford attacker for well over a month now and have seen two bids already rejected by the Premier League side. Mbeumo has prioritised a move to Old Trafford despite teams who are playing in the Champions League this season making significant efforts to sign him. Despite the turned-down bids, with the latest being in excess of £60 million plus, United have remained in talks with Brentford over a deal for Mbeumo, and the next offer could be the one that gets the deal over the line.

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Mbeumo’s potential arrival at Man United will be seen as a major coup for the Premier League side, especially given he will join Matheus Cunha, another player who really excelled last season. The 25-year-old scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, and Amorim obviously believes his arrival, alongside Cunha, can help transform United’s attack and get them back to the top end of the table.

Katie George anchors run chase as Sparks clinch consolation victory

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2024The Blaze face an anxious 24 hours to learn if their dream of landing the domestic double in women’s regional cricket remains alive after slipping to a five-wicket defeat against Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Chesterfield.The result leaves the Charlotte Edwards Cup holders fourth in the table with one hand on a semi-final place but just a one-point advantage over fifth-placed Sunrisers, who complete their 14-match league programme on Saturday. Sunrisers travel to Southern Vipers, who are the defending champions but have lost their last three.On a track that yielded runs only sparingly, The Blaze were restricted to 166 after being asked to bat first. Michaela Kirk top-scored with a season-best 36, backed up by Kathryn Bryce’s 33, sharing a 63-run partnership for the second wicket.Seamer Grace Potts led the Sparks’ bowling effort with a List A-best 3 for 38 with Charis Pavely, Emily Arlott and Hannah Hardwick taking two wickets each, before Katie George anchored their winning reply with an unbeaten 57 off 90 balls, with five fours.The Blaze, missing Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast because of the white-ball series against England which also deprived the Sparks of leading wicket-taker Hannah Baker, quickly lost Sarah Bryce, caught at point in Potts’ opening over, but recovered to 68 for 1 in the 13th over.Alongside Kirk, the in-from Bryce added 63 in 11.1 overs, but a double setback saw her and new batter Marie Kelly out within the space of five balls, both bowled. Left-arm spinner Pavely, who will join England for the T20 matches against Ireland, dismissed Bryce and seamer Arlott removed Kelly without scoring. Bryce hit five boundaries, as did Kirk, but the latter was leg-before when Potts returned in the 20th over.Teresa Graves lifted Hardwick for a boundary down the ground but was bowled shortly afterwards as the 20-year-old seamer celebrated her maiden List A wicket on her second Sparks appearance, following it up immediately by bowling Lucy Higham first ball.From 103 for 6 at the halfway point, The Blaze – last year’s runners-up – struggled to find any momentum, with only two boundaries thereafter. Ella Claridge (19) and skipper Kirstie Gordon (22) painstakingly added 37 for the seventh wicket in 11 overs before offspinner Ria Fackrell turned one to bowl the former, Gordon then dragging on to Arlott.Grace Ballinger and Josie Groves eked out another 20 for the ninth wicket before Groves and Cassidy McCarthy succumbed in search of boundaries.Needing 3.34 runs per over, Sparks opener Ami Campbell blasted three boundaries in Bryce’s opening over and another two in her second but was almost immediately caught at cover when offspinner Higham took over.From 28 without loss in five overs Sparks were 43 for 3 in the 10th after left-arm seamer Ballinger bowled Davina Perrin and left-arm spinner Gordon trapped Meg Austin in front for her 18th wicket of the season.Gordon and Bryce restricted Sparks to just 14 in the next five overs but after Abbey Freeborn had chopped on to be bowled by Bryce, George and Chloe Brewer upped the tempo. The visitors were 110 for four after 25 overs, needing another 57.Brewer was leg-before to Gordon for 22 after the pair had added 55. The Blaze bowlers gave away few easy runs – Bryce ending her 10 overs with two consecutive maidens – but with only a little more than two per over needed, George and Pavely had no need to take risks and their unbroken 53-run stand finished the job with 52 balls to spare, George completing her half-century and then winning the match with back-to-back boundaries.The result meant that the Birmingham-based team marked their last appearance as Central Sparks with a win. Trent Bridge-based The Blaze will retain their current identity, but as domestic women’s cricket undergoes another overhaul next season, the Sparks will play as Warwickshire in 50-over cricket and Birmingham Bears in T20.

The fast bowler says his experience with various domestic teams helped him settle into the Indian team environment quickly

Alagappan Muthu25-Sep-20244:00

Akash Deep: ‘Very fortunate to play for India under Rohit Sharma’

India fast bowler Akash Deep has given a ringing endorsement of the country’s domestic system, saying it is so rigorous that players who make the step up from there to international cricket have already been battle-tested.”The structure the BCCI has for domestic cricket is so strong that by the time you get to this level, you have already played a lot of good-quality cricket,” Akash, who has played two Tests so far, said in Kanpur. “You know what your bowling is like and what you need to do. So I don’t find anything new here. The processes we follow to get here, we just need to follow those and take those forward.”India have invested a great deal into their pathways to create a strong pool of players capable of stepping into the national team in any format. Akash came through it himself, taking 35 wickets in the Ranji Trophy in 2019 at an average of 18.02 as Bengal made the final. From there he was picked to play for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy in 2022, the Deodhar Trophy in 2023, then onto India A cricket and, on the back of 11 wickets in two games against England Lions, a Test debut in February 2024. He picked up three wickets in his first spell, dismissing Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, and 2 for 19 in the first innings of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh.Related

Green Park's C stand deemed 'unsafe' for India-Bangladesh Test

Akash Deep: A song of venom and whip

Akash Deep uses Shami's advice for impressive Duleep Trophy outing

One-Test-old Akash Deep determined for more

The seniors in the Indian team also help newcomers feel at ease in a new environment. “I am very fortunate to play for India under [Rohit Sharma],” Akash said. “He keeps things so simple. I had some hesitation when I came to the Indian team, about the pressure, some confusion… but when I got to the ground, [Rohit] made things so simple for me that I didn’t know if I was playing domestic cricket or international cricket. I don’t think in my life I could have asked for a captain who makes things so simple.”Having been put at ease, Akash drew on all that he had learnt on his way up to international level – he had come in on the back of 30 first-class, 28 List A and 41 T20 games, where he picked up 104, 42 and 48 wickets respectively – and worked on how to improve further.Akash Deep already feels at home in international cricket•BCCI”I have played a lot of cricket in the last two years,” he said. “Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, so we are used to playing cricket for long periods. I think that as a cricketer, it’s important to understand yourself. Suddenly if we are selected for a new team, there shouldn’t be any confusion. ‘I have done this in the Ranji Trophy, what am I supposed to do here?'”I have worked on that, worked on my strengths. What can I add to my bowling? I have spent time thinking about those things. It’s about the simple things. I don’t put pressure on myself, that I have to play in [November’s tour of ] Australia, or in any other big series. I stay in the present. I think about today, this match, which helps me keep things simple.”Akash was asked about “this match” and in particular the pitch in Kanpur. “Whatever the wicket is like, if I play, my job is to put the ball in good areas,” he said. “Even if the wicket is not favouring fast bowlers, I need to find a way to pick up wickets. From what I have seen, it’s a sporting wicket, not a batters’ wicket.” India face Bangladesh at Green Park for the final game of the series after taking a 1-0 lead in Chennai.Akash also opened up on a little connection that he has with the ground here. “I am from Banaras, which is not far from here. I had heard of the stadium – Green Park – when I was young, and I thought that it’s because the whole ground was green. I hadn’t seen any stadiums at the time. I remembered it after coming here, that the first stadium I had heard of was Green Park. It feels nice, that I am here, at the place I had heard of as a kid.”

Federico Chiesa has not travelled with the Liverpool first team for their pre-season tour in Japan. A minor niggle best treated on Merseyside, so the club say.

But we all know the decision is carried by the undertow of Chiesa’s wretched debut campaign, having been the only man to sign for Arne Slot’s side last summer, arriving from Juventus in a deal worth just £12.5m.

The 27-year-old had just one year remaining on his deal with the Turin side, and FSG sensed an opportunity. Low risk, high reward.

Sadly, the versatile forward’s time on Merseyside has yielded little personal success, though he will leave a Premier League champion, should he depart as expected.

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135′

Injuries and Slot’s unwillingness to hand him minutes don’t detract from the fact that a replacement might be needed, especially since Luis Diaz is the subject of Bayern Munich’s vested interest, with a £58.5m bid already knocked back.

How Liverpool are replacing Federico Chiesa

In a sense, Liverpool have already replaced Chiesa, for they have signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m. The right-sider is a defender and forward both, with the athleticism and monstrous attacking qualities to provide cover for Mohamed Salah.

Replacing Chiesa comes less from a strictly positional standpoint than the addition of one or two signings who can complete Liverpool’s frontline.

With Florian Wirtz signed for a British record £116m fee, steps have already been taken in this regard. More of a playmaker, the German is nonetheless one of the most dangerous attacking players on the globe.

And Hugo Ekitike is in the process of completing his medical before sealing his move to Anfield. Liverpool agreed a £79m total package with Eintracht Frankfurt for the 23-year-old striker.

However, if Diaz is sold, Liverpool would need a new winger, one preferably who could provide support both on the left and on the right.

Liverpool in the race for Premier League winger

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have retained an interest in Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon after being offered the chance to sign the England winger last summer.

Gordon, 24, has been shortlisted along with Lyon prospect Malick Fofana and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as FSG prepare for Diaz’s potential departure.

However, Gordon’s affiliation with Liverpool (who he supported as a child and played for as an academy member until he was 11) and his Premier League experiences could see a bid placed for him.

The Magpies are looking to bank as much as £100m, and Arsenal are also interested.

Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon

Gordon might have been of an Everton persuasion in the past, but Liverpool would hit the jackpot by reeling him back over to Merseyside as a Red.

Fast, furious and threatening with a variety of instruments, Gordon has established himself as a real menace, notching 36 goal involvements across the past two Premier League seasons and winning Newcastle’s Player of the Year award for 2023/24.

Not just a sharp attacking presence, Gordon also gets stuck in and contributes across the park. As per Sofascore, he averaged 1.5 key passes and 4.4 successful duels per game last term, thus illustrating his combativeness and crispness on the ball.

And given that he would be a direct Diaz replacement, it’s only fitting that he should be positionally fluid. In this way, he could in fact cover Chiesa’s position when called upon, also capable of moonlighting as a centre-forward, like Diaz did so expertly last year.

Left winger

124

26

29

Right winger

53

8

8

Attacking midfield

21

13

2

Centre-forward

16

5

1

Gordon’s performances since swapping Everton for Newcastle have seen him spring from the floor, but his ceiling’s higher still.

Declaring himself “a nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, Gordon has the experience to dovetail right into Liverpool’s first team, with his dynamic skills making him an exciting teammate for any forward looking to make their way.

All this is to say that Gordon could actually prove to be an even bigger talent than Ekitike, who has been named “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson but has yet to pass the English top-flight test.

The Frenchman might need a bit of time to bed in, whereas Gordon would be expected to hit the ground running.

That’s not a blight on Ekitike’s skill set. He is indeed one of the most exciting prospects out there, and he could shape into a world-beater for a fluent Liverpool side so rich with quality to ease him into his touted talismanic role.

But Gordon has already hit an astounding level in the Premier League, and joining Slot’s brood, he would be expected to raise his bar once again, taking a leaf from Ryan Gravenberch’s book, from Cody Gakpo’s.

Moreover, the fact that Liverpool’s interest stretches back to last summer makes a rather interesting comment on the depth of their intrigue, and indeed how the powers that be appear to be in concert: this is a player that the club need to sign, for he could not only replace Diaz but rise to a level above the Colombia star.

Ekitike is a talented player, but Liverpool know that he is a work in progress. Gordon may well be too, but he would be expected to lead with confidence, all the while reaching a level which might truly blow the Merseyside fanbase away.

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Since taking the job over five years ago, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.

He’s taken the club from one languishing in mid-table looking downwards to one that’s a genuine contender in every competition they take part in.

However, he has had to make numerous unpopular and difficult decisions during his tenure, such as terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract in 2022.

It was the right thing to do, but it’s impossible to deny that the team could have used someone as prolific as he once was over the last few years, which could explain reports linking them to a certain attacker from the continent.

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As things stand, this summer is shaping up to be quite exciting for Arsenal.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The club have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke.

Moreover, Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is set to be announced any day now, and Andrea Berta and Co seem to be finally nearing the end of their hunt for Viktor Gyokeres.

And yet, the Premier League runners-up don’t appear to be done yet, as they’re now looking at another prolific attacker from Europe, someone who could be Arteta’s new Aubameyang.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Ademola Lookman.

The report has revealed that the Gunners have enquired about the player, who is also a target for Inter Milan.

While the competition could be a problem, the money involved is unlikely to be, with the report revealing that Atalanta want just £43m for their star attacker.

It’s still a sizable sum of money, but given Lookman’s ability and record, one worth paying, especially as he could be Arsenal’s new Auba.

Why Lookman could be Arteta's new Auba

While it might seem like an odd comparison to make, there are several similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang that make it easier to see how the former could be Arsenal’s new version of the latter.

The first couple, and certainly the most surface-level, are that the Nigerian international would be joining the Gunners from a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues and doing so at a similar point in his career.

When the Gabonese put pen to paper in North London, he was 28 years old, and in just over two months, the Atalanta ace will be as well.

The next similarity, which is more concrete, is that, like the former North Londoner, the 27-year-old star is more than capable of playing out wide or straight down the middle.

Likewise, during his time at the Emirates, the Laval-born goal machine spent a great deal of time playing off the left, as well as up top.

Finally, and this is the most critical comparison of them all, the London-born ace has become an output monster in recent seasons, just as the former captain was for most of his time in N5.

For example, across his 118 games for the Bergamo outfit, totalling 7538 minutes, the “world-class” attacker has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

That means the 29-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes since joining the Serie A side.

For comparison’s sake, the former Arsenal star scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists in 163 appearances, totalling 12868 minutes during his time in red and white, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games, or every 113.87 minutes.

Ultimately, they may not be exactly alike, but there are some undeniable similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang, and most crucially, the Nigerian superstar could have a similar impact at Arsenal that the Gabonese ace once had.

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2025